Indexing apparatus



Feb. 9, 19 60 c, JOHNSON 2,924,127

INDEXING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 1Charles H. Johnson INVENTOR.

BY Ww/ M ATTOR NEYS Feb. 9, 1960 c. H. JOHNSON 2,924,127

' INDEXING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1955 FIG-.3. w

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Charles H. Johnson INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

f mix/44k? Feb. 9, 1960 c. H. JOHNSON 2,924,127

IINDEXING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 IIIINVENTOR.

l Charles H.Johnson BB ATTORNEYS.

Feb. 9, 1960 c. H. JOHNSON 2,924,127

INDEXING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1955 v 6 Sheets-Sheet 5Charles H..Johnson INVENTOR.

BY M Maw AT TO RNEYS.

Feb. 9, 1960 c. H. JOHNSON 2,924,127

INDEXING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 10'! TT [04 D 105 (E5. I06

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United States Patent i INDEXING APPARATUS Charles H. Johnson, Madison,Wis., assignor to Gisholt Machine Company, Madison, Wis., a corporationof Wisconsin Continuation of abandoned application Serial No. 534,419,

September 15, 1955. This application December 31 1958, Serial No.785,549

7 Claims. (Cl. 74-822) This invention relates to an indexing apparatus,and more particularly to an indexing apparatus for a rotary element,such as a drum.

The apparatus of the invention contemplates indexing of a multi-facedelement from face to face successively, with a re-index feature whichreverses the direction of rotation of the element to directly return tothe initial face from any of a plurality of faces. An'hydraulic systemis provided which indexes and re-indexes the element, as well ascontrolling locking and unlocking of the element.

The apparatus is particularly adaptable for use in a machine toolwherein it is desired to index a drum carrying a plurality of tracertemplates or cams.

This application is a continuation of the inventors copendingapplication Serial No. 534,419, filed September 15, 1955, now abandoned.

The best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention isillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a lathe embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the lathe of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal central section of the tracer slidewith adjacent parts of the carriage support therefor and with the slidein the position immediately at the end of a cutting operation and beforeback traverse;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section showing the jet chamber and aportion of the slide cylinder of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the mechanism for actuating the jetvalve from the tracer finger, with parts in section;

Fig. 6 is a detail section taken horizontally on line 66 of Fig. 5 withparts shown in plan;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged front elevation of the tracer cam drum with partsin section;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the cam drum and its support;

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8 showing the cylindersfor indexing the drum;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken on line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 11-11 of Fig. 7 showing the clampingof the tracer cams or templates on the drum;

Fig. 12 is a diagram of the hydraulic power and control circuits;

Fig. 13 is a diagram of the electrical circuit with refinements such asmanual controls omitted.

The lathe illustrated comprises a bed 1, a headstock 2, a tailstock 3, arear slide 4 and a tracer slide 5.

The workpiece 6 to be machined may be secured in a chuck 7 on the end ofthe spindle 8 in headstock 2 and may be additionally supported by theaxially movable center 9 of tailstock 3.

The rear slide 4 may or may not be used depending Patented Feb. 9, 1960ice 2 upon need for facing of the workpiece or of addi-' tional cuts.

The tracer slide 5 carries a machining tool 10 which may be clamped to asuitable tool post 11 on the slide and which is adapted to machine theworkpiece 6 in successive cuts under the control of a separate tracercam 12 for each cut. I

A carriage 13 is adapted to be moved longitudinally upon ways on' bed 1by any'suitable means such as the hydraulic cylinder 14 and piston 15,one of which is secured to the bed and the other to the carriage.

A swivel base 16 is pivoted upon the carriage 13 and adjustablehorizontally on the pivot post 17 to any suitable angle.

The tracer slide 5 is mounted on suitable ways on base 16 to be movedparallel thereto and generally at a sub-' stantial angle to thedirection of movement of the carriage 13. A hydraulic cylinder 19 issecured to the rear end of slide 5 parallel to its direction of movementand a piston 20 therein is secured to base 16.

Cylinder 19 is actuated by means of a jet valve 21 as set forth in thecopending application of the present inventor, Serial No. 348,302, filedApril 13, 1953, now abandoned in favor of a continuation applicationS.N. 657,764, filed May 8, 1957.

For this purpose a jet reservoir or housing 22 is provided adjacent tocylinder 19 and secured thereto. The reservoir has a port block 23 inthe inner end with two adjacent ports 24 and 25, connected by suitablecorresponding passages to the opposite ends of the cylinder 19. A jettube 26 has its discharge jet nozzle 27 facing the port block 23.

Jet tube 26 is mounted for horizontal pivoting on a and which isconnected at the top by conduit 29 to a source of pressure liquid tosupply nozzle 27 with a constant discharge flow of liquid.

The jet tube 26 is pivotally actuated to effect selective pressurechanges in the ports 24 and 25 and the corresponding ends of cylinder19, by the tracer cam 12.

For this purpose each tracer cam 12 is disposed during operation to facein the same direction of facing as the work surface of the workpiece 6to be machined.

A follower or finger 30 depends from a slide block 31 mounted in acarrier 32 shown as being beneath cylinder 19. A micrometer adjustment33 is provided for block 31 to position finger 30 accurately relative tothe carrier 32.

The carrier 32 is mounted in suitable end bearings 34 depending fromcylinder 19 to provide for free rotation of the carrier and alsolongitudinal movement of the same.

A cone arm 35 is secured to carrier 32 and extends laterally therefromtoward jet housing 22. The outer end of arm 35 has a conical recess 36therein for receiving and confining a ball 37 disposed in an opening ina ball block 38 depending from housing 22.

Ball 37 presses against a second ball 39 in block 38 and which in turnpresses against a lever arm 40 clamped to the lower end of pivot tube28.

The cone arm 35 and the balls 37 and 39 are normally in alignment whenjet nozzles 27 directs its discharge to port 25 in block 23, so that thetracer slide moves in at full speed. I

In the event that carrier 32 is turned in its bearings 34 or is movedaxially therein by finger 30 engaging and following the acting surfaceof tracer cam 12, the conical recess 36 will move the ball 37 inwardlyagainst ball 39 and the latter will push lever 40 in a direction turningtube 28 to direct jet nozzle 27 toward port 24 which feeds pressureliquid to the outer' 'end of cylindeifr 3 19 and tends to withdraw thetool outwardly of the workpiece 6.

A spring 41 in jet housing 22 biases jet tube 26 in a. direction. tocause jet noule 27 r to directpressure. liquid into port 25 and supplyliquid to the inner=end-i of-cylinder19; thereby. feedinggthe tool-10inwardly-of the workpiece 6. Spring 41-eifects a constant following,

of tracer-earn 12 bythe finger 30.

When finger 30. is following a portion of the cam surface of tracer cam12 that is parallel to the axis of workpiece-6 as carriage'13 is-movedon bed if the jet nozzle will be held neutral to avoidfeeding movementof tool 10 either in crout-of the workpiece.

When tracer cam-'12 .-:.changes abruptlytolt finger 30;

move inwardly, the jet. nozzle 27 under thevforce of springv 41 is movedto effect a corresponding inward movement of slide 5 and tool 10 under aservo control which stops thefeeding-of the tool as soon astfinger 30stops moving in. v

When tracer cam-I2 has ashoulderthat makes finger 30 move-outwardly'thejettube is moved against the force of spring 41, and the'jet nozzleeffects acorresponding outward movement of slide 5.

The back traverse of slide 5 is effected at-the completion of a cut by aback traverse plunger 42 in housing 22 and which is biased by spring" 43to normally engage: jet tube 26 and forcethe-same pivotally against'spring 41 and to a position where the jet from nozzle 27 enters port 24and causesa rapid retraction .oflthe slide. Apin 44 extending axially ofspring; 41- determines the back-- traverse position for jet tube 26.

During a cutting cyclepressure liquid ismaintainedin the cylinder 45v ofplunger 42 to retract the same against its spring 43 and free jettube'26 forservo action under the influence of spring 41.

According to the present invention; a-plurality of tracer cams 12are-employed-corresponding to the several-cuts to be takenin theworkpiece. The-cams'12 arernounted on corresponding faces of a drum 46to be indexed'for actuation of finger 30 in successive cutting cycles.

The drum 46 illustrated has four faces each having a tracer cam 12secured in place thereon by suitable Tslotclamps 47. The drum 46 has endtrunnions- 48 journaled in: suitable frictionless bearings 49 in endbrackets 50 and 51 secured to bed 1.

As best shownin Figs- 9, l0, and 12, bracket 50 contains themechanismfor indexing the drum 46. For this purpose the'trunnion 48-supported bybracket 50 has a gearSZ keyed thereon andmeshingwith a drive gear 53rotatably mounted on shaft or pin 54 in the bracket.

The hub of gear 53 carries a pair of spaced flanges 55 between which aplurality of circumferentially spaced pins 56 are carried. In, theconstruction illustrated there are three useable pins 56; one less thanthe number of faces and tracer cams on drum 46.

A piston 57 is disposedtin a vertical cylinder 58 at one side of gear53', the piston. having a recess 59 facing the gear and receivingaportion of the flanges 55.

. Piston 57 carriesa pivoted pawl 60- which is biased to operativeposition by a spring 61 and which has a recessed upper end disposedtoareceive a pin 56 as piston 57 moves upwardlyv to rotate gear 53through one-eighth of a revolution and index the drum 46 a quarter of arevolution. For this purpose gear 53 has twice the circumference of gear52 so that gear 53 only needs to turn I about one-half a-revolution toeffect a' full indexing of all four faces of drum 46.

As-piston 57 drops-from an indexing stroke the pawl 60 pivots againstspring 61 and rides free of the next pin 56 until it clears thelatter.

The piston makes an operative indexingmovement for each ofthe faces ofdrum 46 after the first face.

Afterthe cutting" cycle for the last faceof drum 46; the drum.islretur'ned to thefirst face by back rotation of" the drum: Forthis'*pur-po'se'= a= piston 62 i is" disposed on the opposite side ofgear 53 from piston 57 and has a rack 63 meshing with the gear and of alength approxi mately one-half the circumference of the gear.

The piston 62 operates in a cylinder 64 in bracket 50 disposed generallyparallel to cylinder 58.

As gear 53 indexes one-eighth of a revolution for each index movement ofdrum 46 it movesracl; 63 and piston 62 downwardlyin" cylinder 64 untilthepiston almost reaches the lower end of its stroke at the indexing; ofthe:- la'st faceof'drumi46. Thereafter, and following the final cut,pressure iiuid is admitted to the lower end of. cylinder 64 to liftpiston-.62 and effect a return drive for gear 53 by meansofrack' 63 andwhich returns drum 46 to present the first face audits tracer cam 12 ontop for operative engagement with finger 30.

The piston 62'is cushioned at the end of its upward stroke by an innerpiston 65 having a rod 66 extending axially upwardly, of piston 62 toengage an adjustable stop 67in theiupperend ofcylinder 64. The lower'endof piston 62' has a plug 68 with'a central bleederopeningf therein forreceiving the pilot 69 on piston 65 so that whenfluid is admitted to thelower end of cylinder 64 it. alsoraises piston 65 so that rod 66 engagesstop 67" before piston 62.1'eaches the upper end of its stroke.Thereafter, as piston 62'moves upwardly it has to slowly displace thefluidcontained between piston65 and plug, 68. through. the bleeder;opening around the pilot 69; Cushioning of piston 62permits use ofhigher pressures: in. cylinder 64 and thusfaster re-indexing.

Asbest shown in Figs. 7 and 12, the drum 46 is posi tively locked inindexed position by means of the lockingf pin 70 in bracket 511 For thispurpose pin 76" has a" lowerh'ead'lll constituting a pistonin thevertical'cylinder 72. The upper end ofpin '70 is conical to'enter one ofa plurality of circumferentially spaced complementary conicalrecesses 73inthe'right hand trunnion 48'of drum; 46.

Thepin 70 is normally raised and held inlocking position with its upperend seated in recess 73 by means of. oil pressure and-of a coil spring74 contained in an axial bore 75in the lower end of the pin, spring 74being supported by plug 76 constituting the lower end of cylinder. 72.

The upper end of spring 74 presses against head 77. of a pin 78 disposedaxially of the spring and which. head engages the upper end of the bore75 to support lockpin 70. The pin 78-extends downwardly through-1plug.76 toengage and actuate a. limit switch, 79 when locking pin 70 isretracted from recess 73.

Retraction of locking pin 70 is accomplished by admitting pressure-fluidthrough passage 80 to the space in cylinder 72 above head 71 to forcethe head downwardly until it engages plug 76 as a stop.

The brackets 50 and51 carry a bar 81 for preventing carriage 13. fromrising during its travel longitudinally of the bed; For this purpose aU-shaped block 82 is. bolted to the-bottom of carriage 13 and encirclesthe underside of bar 81 so that tracer finger=30 cannot lift away fromthe operative tracer cam 12.

The drum 46 may have various trip dogs adjustably located thereon for.engaging limit switches disposed adjacent the drum for controlling theseveralcycles of. cut for the lathe, as hereinafter described.

The hydraulic diagram of Fig. 12 and the electrical diagram of'Fig. 13are illustrative of a general cycle con trol possible forthe machine, itbeing understood that various cycle sequences and controls may beemployed.

In the hydraulic diagram of Fig. 12 the carriage cylinder 14 and piston15 and a cylinder 83 and piston 84 for the rear slide 4 are' actuatedthrough a main-control, valve '86 from the large: vane pump -37and'thextwo feed pumps'to be described hereinafter. The severalsolenoid: control valves 88;.89, 90,.91, 92 andz93 are: actuated bysolenoid coils 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 land-99, respectively; as shown in-Figi 1-2.5 pump; 1 69- servesvtor supply pressure fluid to Valves 88,89, 90 and 91 from sump 101, and a pressure relief valve 102 returnsexcess power liquid to the sump.

A pump 103 supplies power liquid from a separate sump through conduit 29to the tracer jet 27 to actuate cylinder 19 and piston 20 and traverseand feed tracer slide 5.

'The actuation of the hydraulic control circuits will be described morefully in connection with a description of the machine cycle.

In the diagram of Fig. 13, the three phase power supply lines 104, 105and 106 are connected by a suitable circuit breaker 107 and throughseparate contactors to the several motors, shown as the spindle drivemotor 108, the traverse motor 109 and the hydraulic motor 110.

The power lines 104 and 106 also feed the primary of a single phasetransformer 111 for supplying current to the control circuit. For thispurpose the secondary of transformer 111 delivers current to twovertical lead lines 112 and 113, and the various controlrelays,solenoids and switches are connected in transverse lines extendinggenerally between the leads 112 and 113-. For convenience the severaltransverse lines are numbered successively at the left hand side of Fig.13, beginning with line L1 containing the secondary of transformer 111and ending with line L21 containing relay 114.

When the workpiece 6 has been secured in chuck 7 on spindle 8 and thecenter 9 of tailstock 3 has been moved to engage the end of theworkpiece, the tailstock also engages a limit switch to close itscontacts 115-1 in line L3, and the cycle is ready.

When the machine start button 116 in line L2 is pressed the starter 1 17in line L2 for spindle motor 108 is energized, thereby starting thespindle 8. At the same time the starter 118 in line L3 for the traversemotor 109 is energized to drive pumps 87 and 100. The starter 118 alsocloses the holding contacts 119 which by-pass the start button 116 inline L2 and keeps the machine in operation until the stop button 120 inline L2 is pressed open to drop out the holding circuit and disconnectall controls.

When the cycle start button 121 in line L3 is pressed, switch 115 beingclosed, the starter 122 in line L6 for hydraulic motor 110 is energizedand the motor starts pump 103 to supply power liquid to jet nozzle 27.Starter 122 closes its contacts 122-'1 in line L4 to complete a holdingcircuit around start button 121.

At the .same time the forward traverse solenoid 96 in line L15 isenergized through the then closed limit switch 123-1 and normally closedcontacts to be referred to later.

'Energization of solenoid 96 actuates the three way valve 90 to portpressure fluid from pump 100 to a cylinder 124 in main control valve 86and which pushes the spool 125 of that valve to forward traverseposition where power liquid from pump 87 is ported to the piston rod endof rear slide cylinder 83. Spool 125 remains in forward traverse untilthe rear slide 4 releases limit switch 126 and closes its contacts 126-1in line L16 to energize time delay relay 127 in line L16. Energizationof relay 127 closes its holding contacts 127-1 in line L17 so that whencarriage 13 moves off from limit switch 123 and opens its contacts 123-1in line L15, the relay continues to be energized.

Energization of relay 127 immediately opens its contacts 127-2 in lineL20 so that the solenoid 98 remains de-energized. Energization of relay127 opens its contacts 127-3 in line L15 to tie-energize solenoid 96 andpermits the stopping of the forward traverse of rear slide 4 by shiftingof spool 125 to feed position.

After a predetermined time following energization of relay 127, itscontacts 127-'4 in line L7 close, thereby energizing solenoid 99 andactuating valve 93 to drain vfeed oil going to rear slide cylinder 83 tothereby block 'any feed of the rear slide. If it is desired to feed therear slide, a dog 128 is located on the drum '46 at a position where itwill engage a limit switch 129 on bracket 50, whereupon the limit switchcontacts 129-1 in line L7 open and the solenoid 99 is prevented fromenergizing and from establishing the feed block. The power liquidutilized for forward and back traverse of rear slide 4 is suppliedthrough the main control valve 86 from pump 87. The power liquidutilized for forward feed of the rear slide 4 is supplied through themain control valve 86 from a feed pump 130 driven by spindle 8.

The power liquid utilized forforward feed of carriage 13 is suppliedthrough the main control valve 86 from a feed pump 131 driven by spindle8. The power liquid utilized for back traverse of carriage 13 issupplied through the main control valve 86 from the pump 87.

Upon shifting of spool from forward traverse to feed position powerliquid going from pump to cylinder 83 is sent to drain when solenoid 99is energized. to actuate blocking valve 93. Also upon shift of spooli125 from forward traverse to feed position power liquid is admitted frompump 131 to cylinder 14 to feed the: carriage 13 longitudinally.

When carriage 13 moves forwardly it releases limit switch 123, therebyopening the contacts 123-1 in line L15 and closing the contacts 123-2 inline L9. Opening of contacts 123-1 gives the control of furtherenergization of relay 127 to limit switch 132 the contacts 132-1 ofwhich in line L17 are normally closed. Closing of contacts 123-2 in lineL9 readies the index circuits for drum 46.

At the same time as relay 127 is energized, solenoid, 97 in line L17 isenergized to actuate valve 91 and which thereupon admits pressure fluidto cylinder 45 and pushes plunger 42 away from jet tube 26 to allowpivoting of the latter to a position where jet nozzle 27 directspowerfluid into port 25 and effects a forward traverse of slide 5. Whenfinger 30 engages tracer cam 12 it pivots jet tube 26 against spring 41and thereafter controls the position of the tool 10 in accordance withthe pattern of the tracer cam or template.

When carriage 13 reaches the endof the cut, a limit switch 132 on member82 of the carriage engages one of the dogs 47 on the drum 46 to open itscontacts 132-1- in line L17 and to close its contacts 132-2 in line L20.For this purpose one of the clamps 47 for each template 12 has anextended corner to constitute a dog, and this particular clamp islocated at the position for tripping limit switch 132 at the end of thecut for the given template.

Opening of contacts 132-1 in line L17 de-energizes tracer solenoid 97thereby releasing the pressure from cylinder 45 and permitting spring 43to bias plunger 42 against jet tube 26 to move the latter to a backtraverse position where the nozzle 27 directs power liquid into port 24and drives piston 20 in the reverse direction in cylinder 19.

Opening of contacts 132-1 in line L17 also de-energizes relay 127 whichthereupon drops out its holding contacts 127-1 and closes contacts 127-3in line L15 to ready the circuit for the forward traverse solenoid 96for the next cycle.

Upon de-energization of relay 127 its contacts 127-2 in line L20 delayin closing to permit retraction of tracer slide 5 and indexing of drum46 and then close to ener gize solenoid 98 which actuates valve 92 andtrips the spool 125 in the main control valve 86 to back traverseposition where all pressure fluid from pumps 130 and 131 is sent todrain and pressure fluid from pump 87 is supplied to the appropriateends of cylinders 14 and 83 to efiect a back traverse of carriage 13 andof rear slide 4.

Closing of contacts 132-2 in line L20 by actuation of limit switch 132,as previously described, energizes relay 114 in line L21 which in turncloses its holding contacts 114-1 in line L18 so that it continues to beenergized through closed contacts 123-2 in line" L9 after carriage-"131starts: to back traverse and releases. limit: switch: 132 opening.contacts- 132-2.

Energization of: relay 114 also closes: contacts. 114-2 ina line L8"=andwhich.b.y-pass contacts 127-4 andlimit switch; contacts". 129-1 so.that the rear slide: remainsi blockedruntil the:time delay contacts1-27-2. in.line L20 closeto trip; valve 86 torback. traverseaspreviously; de-

scribed. For: this. purpose. the. dash. pot for contacts:

127-2 also actuatea second setlof contacts: 127-5 in'line. L8 whichopens when contacts 127-2 close, to thereby. deaenergize solenoid99 andrelease thefeed block for cylinder 83;

Encrgization. of relay- 114; in line L21. alsocopenss. its normallyclosed contacts 114-3. in:.line. L15 to prevent anypossible energizationof: the. forward. traverse: solenoid. 96 whil'e relay 114' is incontrol.

Closing off contacts 132-2111. line L20 asipreviously described, also"closes the. circuit for relay 133 in line: L18 through the: normallyclosed relay contacts. 133-1 andf134-1 and the limit: switch contacts135-1 inline L19.

Upon energization of relay 133its holding contacts 133-2 in lineL18close-- followed by opening of contacts 133-1 in line L19.Thereafter, energization of relay'133 and-also of relay 114 continuesuntil limit switch-123 is. engaged try-carriage 1'3-and-its contacts123-2in: line L9 are opened.

Energization ofrelay 133 closes its contacts 133-3 in line L14 toenergize index solenoid 94 through theclosed contacts 136-1 of limitswitch 136 in line L11 and the closed contacts: 123-2- in.-: line L9.Limit switch -conta'cts 136-1 in: lineLllare held closed"only whenitracer slides iss'int fully retracted position so'- than indexing a'n'direin-- dexing/can only take placewhen tool '10 is clear'of' theworkpiece;

Energization of solenoid 94-actuates1valve88 toadmitv fi'uidifrom pump100 to-the lower end of-cylinder 58 to liftpiston. 57 and cause pawl 60to engage: a-i pin 5%; and rotate:drum:.46 one quarter of a turn topresent thenext' template or tracer cam 12 on top for controllingislideActuation of valve 88 also admitspressuretfiuicl from pump 100 throughafioatLValveSS to cylinder 72 torelfect a withdrawal of lock pin. 70downwardly against its spring 74 inwhich. piston pin .78 engages thelimit switch. 79 and. opensits contacts. 79-1. in line L17: to:- blockany action'of the. tracer.

When carriage13 back; traverses to the pointiwhere it-iengages limitswitch 123- the contacts. 123-2 in line L9 will open and therebyde-energize both relays- 114 and- 133. This-opens contacts 133-3 inline.L14' and degenergizes solenoid 94 thereby returning valve 88: tonormals-and dropping-piston 57' in cylinder 58 ready'for the next index.movement.. At the. same time valve 88 releases pressure from cylinden72. andzspring 74 forces lock pin: 70 into place Limit'switch. 79.closes. its contacts 79-1 in line L17.

Contacts 1234 in line L15' areclosed by. actuation ofiflirnit switch 123and thereuponstart another; forward cycle of: operation which: follows.the* above: description.

When the drumv 46 is. indexed; to present therlastttemplate or tracercam 12 for control of thertool: 10,...a.;dog 137 un -the drum engages.and. actuates the: limit. switch 135 on; bracket 50. andtherebyopens.contactst135-1i in line L19 and. closes contacts 135-2 in1ine-.=L9.

Thereafter, following the last cut, when the limit-switch132..on.carriage- 13 engages the dog 47 and closes con.- tacts 132-2 inline L20 the relay 133 is prevented-.irom energizing. due .to theopen.contacts 135-1. Instead, relay 134 in line L9: becomes energized assoonasv relay 127 is: de-energized by opening of contacts. 132-1 in lineL17. For. this purpose limit switch contacts 1'23-2, inlinezL9-arerclosed bythe carriage 13 being removed from limit switch123, and contacts- 1334 and- 127-6 in line L9 are= normally closed.Energization of relay 1341mline L9 closes the holding contacts 134-2rin.line: L10 which by-pass contacts 135-2 and 127-6 inline L9..

Energization of relay 134 also closes contacts 134-3i in line- L11 toset upvthe circuit for re-indexz solenoid 95.

The. single and multiple pass control switch. 138. betweenlines L10 and.L11 provides a manual means for eliminating all automatic indexing ofthe drum 46,. as where onlya single; template 12 is used, vand for.providing-automaticindexing of the drum in any grouping;- desired aswhere more than one template is used.

The location of'the-dog. 137 on drum 46 will: determine thenumber. of.templates used priorto re-index. ofthe drurm With switch. 138in themultiple. pass position,, asshown, andlcontacts. 134-3 in. line L11.closed, when. tracer slide 5. back traverses: to clear tool 10 from.thework. and engages limit lSWltCll. 13.61 and. closes its contacts136-1 in lineiLll the-re-indexsolenoid9S will be energized.

Energizationtof re-index. solenoid actuatesvalve: 89.

to supply power. fluid; from pump: .to Y the: bottom end ofi cylinder64' to. lift piston. 62 and reverse rotate: drurm 46' to startingposition. from. any of theother. indexed positions. Theinefiicientforward index. fromtacestm facetosreturn to. the initialposition is not utilized. At thesame time! valve 89- suppliespressureliquid 7 through. float valve: 85. tocylinder 72v towithdrawldckbolt70'; as previously: described;

Energization of relay 134 also snaps open ccmtactti 134-4 in line I14to: place relay 114 incontrol by; its contacts114-3- 'in-line L5 -andwhich areclosed upon. energization of the relay following. closingoflimit. switch. contacts-1324' inf line L20."

Energization of relay' 134 also opens its: contacts1134-5I in line L15as an added precaution against energization. of forward traversesolenoid 96 during re-indexing.

When carriage 13 completes its. back traverse and actuat'es limit switch123 to open its contacts 123-2 in line L9, relay 134 will bede-energized thereby opening contacts 134-3 and die-energizing solenoid95. Valve 89 will then return-to normal'position wherein the lower endof cylinder 64 is connected to drain and lockbolt 70 ispermittedto seat.

Opening of contacts 123-2 in line L9 also de-energizes .relay 114 andopens contacts 114-3 and de-energizes starter 122 to open its contacts122-1 before the time delay closing of contacts 134-4 in line L4 toreturn the circuit to the position shown in Fig. 13 except for contacts'119 being closed to ready the circuit for the next workpiece."

Suitable; clutchand brake apparatus may" be provided for the spindle anddifferent spindle speeds may be provided underthe control of drum 46, ifdesired.

Where it is desired 'to employ'different cutting tools 10 for the roughcuts and the finishing cut or cuts, an indexing. tool post maybeprovided on slide 5 tocarry both'tools; and. additional'means should beprovided to index' the tools in sequence with the several cuttingoperations; as shown in applicants copending application, Serial No.532642, filed October 10, 1955, now abancloned.

Where,, for setuppurposes, it is desired.to..provide manual control ofindexing and. re-indexing of drum 46;- the index push button. 139 havingcontacts 139-1 in line- L10, contacts 139-2 inline L11, contacts 1339-13in line L12 and; contacts 139-4 in line- L13 serve to energize the indexsolenoid 94, andthe .re-index push. button 140 having contacts 140-1 inline L10, contacts 140-2-in line L11, contacts 140-3 in line L12andcontacts 140-4 in line L12 serve-to energize the re-indexzsolenoid95.

Contacts 139-1' and'140-2 are interlocks to preventsimultaneousenergization of solenoids 94 and'95. Contacts. 139-2andcontacts'140-1 serve to connectfith'e corresponding sol'enoids'94 and95 to lineiL2; Contacts 139-31 and 140-3 serve to disconnect line L9"so' that'no 9 current is fed into the relay circuits when either button139 or 140 is pressed. Contacts 139-4 by-pass the normally open relaycontacts 133-3 in line L14, and contacts 140-4 by-pass the normally openrelay contacts 134-3 in line L11.

Manual control and release of the tracer slide is provided by the tracerselector switch 141 in line L17.

The single and multiple pass switch 138 and the manual index button 139and re-index button 140 provide means for selecting any tracer templateor templates where desired. Also by this means the automatic cycle mayinclude one, two, three or four passes. Where less than four passes areused the remaining drum faces can be set up with templates for otherworkpieces.

The invention provides a novel indexing apparatus which is versatile andfast operating, and which may be hydraulically controlled in sequentialmanner by operation of a machine to which the apparatus is attached.Re-indexing to starting position is direct.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as beingwithin the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out anddistinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as theinvention.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for rotata bly indexing an element having a first facenormally disposed in a desired position and a plurality of successivefaces thereon and with said element having trunnions at each end thereofmounted for rotation in end brackets, said apparatus comprising, a shaftmounted in one of said brackets, a first gear mounted on said shaft, asecond gear mounted on the adjacent trunnion and meshing with said firstgear, a pair of spaced flanges mounted on said shaft, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced pins carried between said flanges, a firstpiston mounted for sliding movement in a first cylinder disposedadjacent said shaft, said first piston having a recess disposed toreceive a portion of said flanges, a pawl carried by said first pistonand normally biased toward said shaft and having an end portion forengaging one of said pins, a second piston mounted for sliding movementin a second cylinder disposed adjacent said shaft, said second pistonhaving a rack thereon which meshes with said first gear, hydraulic meansfor moving said first piston in said first cylinder so that the end ofsaid pawl engages one of said pins to rotate said shaft and said elementin one direction to present the next successive face of said pluralityof successive faces at the said desired position, rotation of said shaftproviding movement of said second piston by said rack, hydraulic meansfor returning said first piston to its initial position after eachindexing step, and hydraulic means for returning the said second pistonto its initial position to re-index said element in a reverse directionand return said first face to the said desired position.

2. Apparatus for rotatably indexing an element having a first facenormally disposed in a desired position and a plurality of successivefaces thereon and with said element having trunnions at each end thereofmounted for rotation in end brackets, said apparatus comprising, a shaftmounted in one of said brackets, a first gear mounted on said shaft, asecond gear mounted on the adjacent trunnion and meshing with said firstgear, a pair of spaced flanges mounted on said shaft, a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced pins carried between said flanges with thenumber of useable pins being one less than the total number of faces onsaid element, a first piston mounted for sliding movement in a firstcylinder disposed adjacent said shaft, said first piston having a recessdisposed to receive a portion of said flanges, a pawl carried by saidfirst piston and normally biased toward said shaft and having an endportion for engaging one of said pins, a second piston mounted forsliding movement in a second cylinder disposed adjacent said shaft, saidsecond piston having a rack thereon which meshes said first gear,

if) hydraulic means for moving said first piston in said first cylinderso that the end of said pawl engages one of said pins to rotate saidshaft and said element in one direction to present the next successiveface of said plurality of successive faces at the said desired position,rotation of said shaft providing movement of said second piston by saidrack, hydraulic means for returning said first piston to its initialposition after each indexing step, and hydraulic means for returningsaid second piston to its initial position from a position correspondingto an indexed position of the element where any of said plurality ofsuccessive faces is disposed at said desired position to 'r'e-index saidelement in a reverse direction and directly return said first face tothe said desired position.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 which includes means for cushioning thereturn of said second piston to its initial position, comprising, aninner piston disposed for sliding movement within said second piston,said inner piston having a rod extending axially through the secondpiston and terminating outwardly thereof, a plug disposed in the secondpiston adjacent said inner piston with said plug having a bleederopening therein, and an adjustable stop disposed in said second cylinderand disposed for engagement by said rod before the second piston reachesits initial position.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 which includes means engageable with one ofthe said trunnions for positively locking the said element in anyindexed position, and hydraulic means for disengaging said locking meansfrom said trunnion during indexing and re-indexing of said element.

5. Apparatus for selectively disposing the faces of a multi-facedelement having a first face and a plurality of successive faces at adesired position, said element being mounted for rotation in endbrackets; said apparatus comprising, a shaft mounted in one ofsaidbrackets, gear means connecting said element and said shaft, a pluralityof drive members carried by said shaft with the number of useable drivemembers being one less than the total number of faces on said element,hydraulically actuated means for engaging one of said drive members torotate said shaft and said element in one direction to present the nextsuccessive face of said plurality of successive faces at the saiddesired position, and hydraulically actuated means for moving said shaftin the reverse direction to directly return said element from thedesired indexed position of any of said plurality of successive faces tosaid first face.

6. Indexing mechanism for a rotary element having a plurality of facesand having end trunnions mounted in bearings for free rotation of theelement and having a cylindrical end portion, said mechanism comprisinga separate locking recess for each face of the element and with saidrecess disposed on said cylindrical portion, a locking pin adapted toenter a locking recess to secure the element in indexed position, apinion secured to one of said trunnions for indexing the element, adrive gear meshing with said pinion and having a plurality of ratchetpins spaced circumferentially thereof to provide successive stepmovements for indexing said element, a power cylinder disposed adjacentsaid drive gear, a piston operative in said cylinder, a latch pivotallycarried by said piston and adapted to engage successive ratchet pins onsaid gear upon corresponding successive actuations of said piston in onedirection in said cylinder for effecting successive indexing movementsof said drive gear and adapted to pivotally retract past a pin when saidpiston is actuated in the opposite direction in said cylinder, a rackmeshing with said drive gear, a second power cylin der with a pistontherein secured to said rack, and means for actuating said last namedpiston to effect a return of said drive gear to starting position uponcompletion of a series of successive indexing movements of said element;to return the latter to starting position.

7. Indexing mechanism for a rotary element having end. trunnions.mounted in bearings for tree rotation of the element,. said mechanismcomprising a pinion secured to one of said trunnions for indexing theelement, a drive gear meshing with said pinion and having a plurality ofratchet pins spaced circumferentially thereof to provide successive stepmovements for indexing said element, a; power cylinder disposed adjacentsaid drive gear, a piston operative in said cylinder, a latch pivo'tallycarriedby said' piston and adapted to engage successive ratchet pins onsaid gear upon corresponding successive actuations of said piston in onedirection in said cylinder for effecting successive indexing movementsofssaid drive gear and adapted to pivotally retract past a pin when saidpiston is actuated in the opposite direction in said cylinder, a rackmeshingwith said drive gear, a second power cylindert Witha pistontherein secured to said rack, and means for actuating said last namedpiston to effect a return of said drive gear to starting position uponcompletion of a series of successive indexing movements of said elementtbiretnrn the latter to starting position;

References ci't'edin the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,308,662 Manteutfel Jan. 19, 1943 2,49%;284- Leonard Feb. 21, 19502,695;5.43 Von Zelewsky Nov. 30,1954 2,713,283 Lomazzo: July 19, 19552520;129 De'Haas- Oct. 11, 1955 2,729,130 Walker; Ian; 3, 1956 2,777,338Thompson Jan. 15, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 623.357 Ger-many Dec. 5, 1955929,456: Germany June 27, 1955 9-30-,3 58 Germany flfladflsnflhluly 1'4,1955 697 ,568 Great. Britain Sept. 23, 1953

